NBA Trade Idea Pairs Zion Williamson With $224 Million All-Star

There are rumors going around that the New Orleans Pelicans could trade Zion Williamson this offseason. Williamson has played in only 45% of his possible games with the Pelicans since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He's also never played in a playoff game. 

A two-time All-Star, Williamson has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 214 games. The Duke product turns 25 in July, and one NBA analyst believes a team with a $224 million All-Star should trade for Williamson this summer. 

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Detroit Pistons trade Jaden Ivey, Tobias Harris a 2027 first-round pick (top-five protected) and two 2027 second-round picks (one via the Milwaukee Bucks) to the Pelicans for Williamson this offseason. 

Pistons star Cade Cunningham took his game to another level this season, making the All-Star team for the first time. He signed a $224 million extension in 2024. 

"Cunningham needs a No. 2 option, someone he can feed the ball to on a regular basis and help cut down the amount of times he's double-teamed," Swartz wrote. "Williamson has perhaps the highest potential of any trade target that may become available and at age 24 can still grow with a young core of Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren and Ron Holland."